Anthony Rota described the Waffen SS member as “a Ukrainian hero, a Canadian hero”
Canadian House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota stepped down on Tuesday amid widespread condemnation over his invitation of a Nazi veteran to a ceremony with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.
Rota apologized on Monday for inviting 98-year-old Yaroslav Hunka to hear Zelensky’s address to Canadian lawmakers on Friday, but refused to resign. Although lawmakers from all parties – including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – cheered and applauded Hunka at the event, calls for Rota’s resignation grew over the weekend as the incident drew worldwide condemnation, particularly from the governments of Russia and Poland.
Rota eventually announced his resignation on Tuesday afternoon, stating that he would leave his position at the end of Wednesday’s session.
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